Pivac’s new caps... the hits and misses of his Wales reign
THE last thing Wayne Pivac probably wants or needs right now is comparing to Warren Gatland. The shadow of his predecessor has hung over him enough as it is at times.
However, one interesting point is how each of them have handed out new caps during their reigns.
In his time as Wales coach, Gatland’s spread of new caps across calendar years between 2008 and 2019 reads as follows: eight, seven, seven, 11, nine, 15, four, eight, three, 16, seven, two.
There was the odd year when caps were handed out like freebies at an Oprah Winfrey taping, but, on the whole, Gatland never capped more than 10 players in consecutive calendar years. Contrast that to Pivac, who, to date, has capped more than 10 players in each of the years he’s completed.
The 11 new caps in 2020 were followed by the same number in 2021. Just two made their debuts during this year’s Six Nations, bringing the total number of new faces under Pivac up to 24 - but there’s every chance, with Pivac still scrambling for a solution as he attempts to fix the problems arising from a poor Six Nations, that he ends up threatening double figures once again.
Given he’s reportedly on the lookout for more exiled players to potentially fill some gaps in his squad, hence why the likes of French-based centre Dylan Sage has recently talked up the chances of pulling on the red jersey, there’s every chance that, come next year’s World Cup, Pivac will have capped more players during a World Cup cycle than Gatland ever managed.
For the record, the former Wales coach was most prolific between the 2011 and 2015 tournaments when he capped 37 new players.
But regardless of how many more come, what of the 24 that Pivac has already brought in? Who could help the Welsh coach move on from his overreliance on Gatland’s aging group of players? In short, who have been hits and who have been misses?
JOHNNY MCNICHOLL Italy, February 2020
The Scarlets winger was a key part of Pivac’s success in Llanelli, but he hasn’t yet been able to replicate that. A promising autumn hinted at more, but middling performances in the Six Nations could mean his chances are running out. Jury’s still out
NICK TOMPKINS Italy, February 2020
The livewire centre proved an instant hit on his debut in Pivac’s first match in charge. Went off the boil a bit after bulking up, but back to looking a solid option at 12 now. Hit
WILL ROWLANDS France, February 2020
Had his doubters to begin with, but he’s quietly grown into a important member of this Welsh squad. Enjoyed a big Six Nations. Hit
SAM PARRY France, October 2020
Wales’s need for depth behind Ken Owens first led Pivac to Parry in the autumn of 2020. Didn’t let Wales down, but not been considered since. Miss
LOUIS REES-ZAMMIT France, October 2020
The public clamoured for the Gloucester flyer to be handed his chance and, bar a little recent blip, he’s not disappointed Hit
SHANE LEWIS-HUGHES Scotland, October 2020
Arrived to great fanfare, after being heralded as possessing a similar attitude to Alun Wyn Jones. Injuries haven’t helped, but you sense he’s fallen out of favour a touch with the coaches too. Jury’s still out.
CALLUM SHEEDY Ireland, November 2020
Perhaps hasn’t hit the heights of last season, but Bristol playmaker Sheedy has proved a solid deputy to Dan Biggar. Hit
JAMES BOTHAM Georgia, November 2020
How Wales could have done with Botham in the Six Nations? A backrower comfortable at 6, 7 or 8, he’s always looked the part when called upon. Hit
JOHNNY WILLIAMS Georgia, November 2020
Arrived as a centre good enough to be handed a start by England. When he’s been fit, he’s looked the part at Test level. Hit
IOAN LLOYD Georgia, November 2020
The young Bristol back is still unsure of his best position. Once he nails it down, you sense he’ll be a regular.
Until then, he’s out in the cold right now. Jury’s still out
KIERAN HARDY Georgia, November 2020
A livewire scrum-half who made an instant impression with his eye for the line. Game management at Test level remains a work-on, but comfortably Tomos Williams’ deputy now. Hit
WILLIS HALAHOLO Scotland, February 2021
You get the impression Halaholo could unlock elements of Wales’ attack, but fate – be it injury or illness – continues to get in the way. Jury’s still out
BEN CARTER Canada, July 2021
The young Dragons second-row looked one for the future last summer, but has been used sparingly ever since. Jury’s still out
TOM ROGERS Canada, July 2021
A promising end to the season with the Scarlets led to a summer call-up, but Test rugby was a tough step-up for the wing. A future at Test level, either on the wing or at full-back, could still be on the cards down the line. Miss
TAINE BASHAM Canada, July 2021
Such is Basham’s nature, the Dragons flanker has hammered through
every challenge put in front of him so far. Tailed off a bit during the Six Nations, but he’s a Test player for sure Hit
BEN THOMAS Canada, July 2021
The Cardiff playmaker hardly had time to impress in his couple of cameos to date, but a second five-eight could be just what Wales need in years to come. Jury’s still out
GARETH THOMAS Canada, July 2021 The Ospreys prop has slowly emerged as a threat to Wyn Jones’ tight-head spot after a shaky start to Test life Hit
MATTHEW SCREECH Argentina, July 2021
As fine a servant as you’d want at the domestic level, the second-row didn’t appear to be one for Test rugby though. Miss
KIRBY MYHILL New Zealand, October 2021
Another hooker tried in a bid to develop depth in the position. Not what Wales were looking for in all fairness. Miss
WILLGRIFF JOHN South Africa, November 2021
Had to bide his time for his first cap after initial debut was cancelled due to Covid. When it came, he departed early through injury in the next game v Fiji. Not featured since. Miss
BRADLEY ROBERTS South Africa, November 2021
A left-field call in the search for a hooker. The South African was brought over from Ulster and looked decent, but has fallen behind others since. Jury’s still out
CHRIST TSHIUNZA Fiji, November 2021
A couple of cameos in the autumn, before injury robbed him of a Six Nations appearance this year. However, the Exeter second-row/backrow hybrid is looking one for the future. Jury’s still out
DEWI LAKE Ireland, February 2022
After all the searching, Pivac finally strengthened the No.2 position with Lake. Two years on from first being in the squad, he’s been impressive off the bench in this year’s Six Nations. Hit
JAC MORGAN Scotland, February 2022
It did seem as though he was destined to be overlooked in the face of outstanding regional form, like many a Welsh back-row before him. But when Ospreys openside Morgan got his chance, he looked to the manor born Hit